Page 77 of Champagne & Handcuffs

“Really?” I cut in.

Autumn nodded. “They were all in the Army together. Richard was their Major, Gabe the Captain, and Paul a Lieutenant.”

“Small world.”

“Seriously.” Joss took a sip of her pink tea. “Apparently they weren’t the only ones to hate Richard. So did a lot of men in this town. The night of the party, one guy rushed in and all hell broke loose. Gabe kept me safe, and we’ve been together ever since.” I watched as she rubbed her belly again. “And after this baby is out, we’ll make it official.”

“When are you due?” I asked.

“Two more months.”

“Do you know what you’re having?”

Autumn shook her head. “Nope. We want to be surprised.”

“I don’t know if I could do that. I’d want to know,” I confessed.

“Me too,” Joss agreed.

“Speaking of …” I prompted.

“Nope. Not pregnant.” Joss chuckled.

“But now that you’re married …”

“Yeah, get on that so our babies can grow up together. I’m sure Gabe and Paul will be excited.”

Joss shook her head. “I just got married a few days ago. Let me enjoy it.”

A thought occurred to me. “Oh my God, am I imposing on your sex life now?”

“What?” Joss gasped. “Of course not!”

“Because I’ll stay at a hotel until I go back—”

“Cat.” Joss put her hand on my knee. “You’re not imposing. If anything, I’m enjoying catching up with you.”

I smiled and hugged her again. “Me too.”

“Just remember we’re here for you.”

I smiled tightly. “Thank you. How long did it take to forget everything?”

The girls looked at each other. Joss spoke, “I still catch myself thinking about that night.”

“Me too.” Autumn agreed. “Things trigger it. TV shows, movies, songs, seeing a woman in our self-defense class. Abuse is all around us.”

I swallowed. “So it won’t go away?”

“I don’t think so,” Joss said. “It will just get easier to deal with.”

“And you and Paul … You know …”

Joss chuckled. “We have consummated our marriage, yes.”

I didn’t think Paul would marry someone he couldn’t have sex with, but I wasn’t sure. “And you were able to be with other men before him?” I was lucky my first time was with the man I wanted to spend forever with.

Joss stared at me for a beat, and then turned to take a quick look at Autumn before she spoke. “No.”